When you eat pinto beans as often as we do here in South Louisiana, you figure out pretty quickly what belongs on the plate with them. My beans have so much meat in them they could almost be a meal on their own, but we still treat them as a side, and there are a few things we come back to every single time.
What We Actually Serve With Pinto Beans
If you only read one part of this post, make it this one. These are the pairings that show up on our table again and again.
White Rice. Always. In our house, pinto beans go over rice, no question. The rice soaks up all that rich, smoky bean liquid, and it stretches a pot of beans to feed a crowd.
Southern Cornbread. Beans and cornbread is a classic for a reason. A crumbly, buttery wedge is perfect for dunking, and bread is my weakness anyway.
Smoked Sausage. If you want to turn your beans into a proper dinner, smoked sausage is the easiest way to do it. The smoky flavor matches the beans perfectly.
Collard Greens. Something green and a little tangy cuts through the richness of the beans. Add a splash of hot sauce or pepper vinegar.
Pan Fried Okra. Crispy, salty, and great next to a soft bowl of beans. The crunch is what makes it work.
Hush Puppies. A little sweet, a little crispy, and just as good for scooping up beans as cornbread.
Smoked Chicken Thighs. We always make a big ol' pot of pinto beans when we barbecue, and smoked chicken is one of our go-tos alongside them.
Looking for more ideas? Keep scrolling. There are over 100 more below, from meats and starches to salads, breads, sauces, and even what to drink.
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Why We Love Pinto Beans
- They're so filling. It's good old-fashioned stick-to-the-ribs kind of comfort food.
- The flavor from Pinto Beans can't be matched. There is so much you can actually make with them, although we tend to stick to our regular routine of cooking them in the slow cooker.
- A great way to fill up without a main dish, unless you count your beans as one. It's a satisfying meal.
- They are a great source of protein.
- They're easy recipes.
- Using beans is a great way to keep cost down.
Meats
We always usually have barbecue meat of some kind, even though our beans contain a lot of meat. Here's a list of ideas of meats that work great with pinto beans;
- Steak
- Pork Chops
- Grilled Chicken
- Smoked Venison Backstrap
- Smoked Chicken Thighs
- Ham Hocks
- Meatloaf
- Fried Chicken
- Lamb Shanks
- Roast Beef
- Cajun Turkey Breast
- Tri Tip Roast
- Smoked Sausage
- Barbecue Chicken
- Pork Sandwiches
- Pork Roast
- Boudin Sausage
- Deer Sausage
- Hot Dogs
- Venison Cutlets
Starches
We always serve our Crock Pot Pinto Beans with rice. Always. We find it's the perfect side dish. Here are some other starch options you might want to try;
- White Rice
- Mashed Potatoes
- Crispy potatoes
- Fried Rice
- Brown Rice
- Hash Browns
- Potato Cakes
- Hasselback Potatoes
- Potatoes Au Gratin
- Cajun Fries
- Potato Salad
- Fried Bowtie Pasta
- Noodles
- Baked Potatoes
- Tater Tots
- Tortilla Chips
Vegetables
Veggies are always a good option to have alongside your pinto beans. Here's some ideas for vegetable side dishes;
- Cajun Green Beans
- Buttery Corn on the Cob
- Broccoli
- Smoked Asparagus
- Roasted Vegetable Mix
- Old Fashioned Pan Fried Okra
- Roasted Zucchini
- Cauliflower Au Gratin
- Collard Greens
- Cauliflower Rice
- Honey Roasted Carrots
- Smoked Mushrooms
- Butternut Squash
- Corn Casserole
- Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
Salads
A fresh salad is always great. It's nice to have this as an option, here's a few ideas;
- Coleslaw
- Greek Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Shaved Fennel Salad
- Panzanella Salad
- Romaine Salad
- Chickpea Salad
- Garden Salad
- Spinach Salad
- Kale and Bacon Salad
- Apple Cranberry Salad
- Fresh tomatoes
Breads
What's a good meal without some kind of bread? Bread just happens to be my downfall, it's something I cannot refrain from, my favorite thing in the world. Here's some bread recipe ideas;
- Hush Puppies
- Texas Toast
- Garlic Naan Bread
- Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread
- Cheesy Bread Puffs
- Pizza Bread
- Pull Apart Bread
- Garlic Loaf
- Knot Rolls
- Southern Biscuits
- Baked Oyster Dressing
- Ciabatta Rolls
- Southern Cornbread
- Classic Dinner Rolls
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Sauces
This is not typically something we do, but depending on some of your other dishes that are being served with your pinto beans, might need some sauces. Here's some ideas;
- Barbecue Sauce
- Hot Sauce
- Creamy Cheeses
- Enchilada Sauce
- Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- Jalapeno Ranch
- Cajun Butter Sauce
- Romesco Sauce
- Yum Yum Sauce
Garnish Ideas
If you're having people over and you want to pretty up the look of your beans, here's some popular toppings ideas;
- Dollop of sour cream
- Sliced Jalapenos
- Parsley
- Green Onions
- Fresh Thyme
- Fresh Oregano
- Chives
- Red Onion
- Bell Peppers
- Fresh Cilantro
- Grated cheddar Cheese
Wines and Cocktails
Looking for some wine or cocktail ideas that will go well with pinto beans? Here's some ideas;
- Merlot
- Shiraz
- Temperanillo
- Chianti
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Martini
- Cosmopolitan
- Whisky Sour
Try my Slow Cooker Pinto Beans Recipe Here. It's a reader favorite.
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